Thursday, April 10, 2014

Michigan Farm to School News

Through webinars, developing materials and utilizing their networks to create a platform to raise the visibility of school breakfast and it’s associated benefits, The Breakfast for Learning Education Alliance aims to encourage schools and states to adopt success strategies that will increase school breakfast participation. Click the link above for the full statement of support.The Alliance is comprised of the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC); The Education Trust; the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) Foundation; the National Education Association Health Information Network (NEA HIN); National PTA; and AASA, The School Superintendents Association. See FRAC’s press release here.

Dole Food Co. and retailer Meijer have recently donated salad bars to five public schools in Detroit, Cincinnati and South Bend to encourage healthier eating and prevent overweight/ obesity in children. Click the link above for a full article from The Packer.

Funded by the North Country Community Transformation Grant, University of Minnesota Extension conducted a survey to profile education and healthcare food service directors’ food purchasing habits to estimate the potential impact on the region if these institutions bought more food from local farms. Click the link above for the full report.

This new report presents five case studies that show how small-farm aggregators and food retailers and distributors can work together to bring local food into wholesale food marketing channels.

Local Health Department Role in Preventing and Reducing Obesity and Chronic Diseases Among Children and Youth

Attached is a document from the National Association of City and County Health Officials (titled “NACCHO”) which includes Farm to School as an opportunity and recommendations for local health departments working to reduce childhood obesity.

OPPORTUNITIES

Request for Applications for the MI Farm to School Grant Program

With funding from the WK Kellogg Foundation, the MSU Center for Regional Food Systems is offering Farm to School Planning and Implementation Grants for K-12 schools/districts and early childcare and education programs in Michigan that have 50% or greater free and reduced-price meal eligibility (or equivalent). We will award up to 20 grants ($2,000 maximum each) to plan for or implement Farm to School programs for the up-coming grant year: September 3, 2014 – June 5, 2015. Only food service/nutrition directors or providers are eligible to apply. Find more information, including application requirements, here. Applications are due by 5 pm on May 1st, 2014.

The Michigan State University (MSU) Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS) is seeking an Academic Specialist to support outreach and research efforts in building capacity of Michigan-based meat and livestock supply chain and food hubs to further advance goals of the Michigan Good Food Charter <www.michiganfood.org>. See the attachment for the job description and click the link above for more information and the application procedure through MSU.

The 2015 USDA Farm to School grants will allow individuals to continue efforts to increase local foods in eligible schools and improve the health and wellbeing of students and connect them with local agricultural producers. Click the link above for more information. Proposals for planning and implementation grants are due by noon EST on April 30th, 2014!

Action for Healthy Kids encourages schools to apply for the 2014-2015 School Grants for Healthy Kids, which are funded by CSX Transportation, Kellogg Company, Kellogg’s Corporate Citizenship Fund and others. The grants will be distributed to about 1,000 schools and will range from $500 - $5,000 each, including to specifically support universal school breakfast in Michigan. Click the link above for more information and the opportunity to apply.

Volunteer Coordinator Position at Food Gatherers

The job description is attached. Interested candidates must apply by 5 pm on Friday, April 18th.

Click the link above to view IATP’s new Farm to School Youth Leadership Curriculum, which connects high school students with local foods and farmers while giving them a leadership role in developing their school’s Farm to School program.

EVENTS

MI Farm to School Grant Program Informational Webinar for prospective applicants

Partnered with Eliminating Racism and Claiming/ Celebrating Equality (ERAC/CE) and the People’s Food Co-op, this free workshop is open to the public and aims to increase our collective understanding of racism within the food system. Click the link above to register by April 4th!

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status.